Holiday Toys: Canadian Toy Association Lists Hottest Toys For 2012

TORONTO - Boys and girls may find toys they can build themselves under the Christmas tree this year, along with some classics enjoying a resurgence, including Furby, Elmo, Tigger and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

"In toys there's always that nice ability to bring back things that were once popular because as kids grow and change, then that one toy could be popular again," said Laura Wiese, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Toy Association, which showcased about 100 items in its 10th annual Hot Toys for the Holidays event Thursday.

The toys shown were predicted by manufacturers to be among the "hot" sellers this holiday season.

More and more electronics are being wired into toys for preschool children and right on up through the age groups, Kerry George, president of the association, told the media gathering.

Smartphones, touchscreens, built-in cameras, downloadable apps and links to iPads are all being incorporated into toys for children of all ages, George added.

Janine Brisbois said her children are into anything iPad-related.

"So the technology toys, if it interacts with an iPad or it's an iPad app, they really love that and it's a treat for them to be able to use it in our house."

Her three-year-old daughter Molly was intrigued by iTikes Canvas. By pairing an iPad and free app with the device, children can access artist tools, magic colouring pages, sound effects and interactive learning games.

Brisbois said she looks for good-quality toys for Molly and her brothers, Max, 8, and Fisher, 5, who was mesmerized by a Playmobil Pirate Ship.

"Something they're going to play with for a long time, that they can play with, then come back to, then play with again," she said.

She said a popular toy in her house is Lego.

"They love it because they build it, play with it, then they pull it apart, then they build something else, so you've got constant play value in it."

Durability is another key for Brisbois, who is vice-president of sales for toy company MJ Entertainment.

"I love to buy something for my eight-year-old and know that in a year or two his five-year-old brother will play with it and then maybe the three-year-old will play with it as well."

There were plenty of activities to provide a break from technology, including board games, card games and craft sets priced at under $30 that the entire family can play.

Children at the event were thrilled when the biggest toy expert of all dropped by.

Santa Claus asked a few questions from a Canadian Trivia game and demonstrated the sound effects of an item — that he said was put together by his elves — called "Meet the Farties." It's the first in a series of children's books about a family of cartoon "Butts" and their gassy adventures.

He also pointed out a recycling truck, which he said is a great environmental toy to teach everyone in the family what to recycle and when.

A spokesman was on hand for Toys for the North, a non-profit initiative in its third season that collects toys and gets them to children in northern communities. It's spearheaded by the RCMP and the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

"We police those northern communities so it's a natural partnership where toys are given by corporations and the public and we get them to these northern communities where children can enjoy them," said RCMP Insp. Todd Gilmore, adding that the Canadian Forces also assist in distributing the toys.

The Canadian Toy Association is a not-for-profit trade group whose members include manufacturers, importers and distributors of toys, games, seasonal and hobby products.

These vehicles simultaneously entertain and educate kids with features that come to life by entering in fun ‘shape-codes’ while an interactive story explain what each part does.
AGE: 6+
PRICE: $50

A favourite among kids who love to craft, this machine is versatile and super easy to use. It includes 40 inches of sticker tape, over 80 sticker designs including velvet, metallic and glitter, colour-in markers and a sticker book. You can even turn your artwork and photos into stickers.
AGE: 6+
PRICE: $30

The Original DoodleArt, this intricate, black-and-white colour-it-yourself poster kit, features five super-sized poster designs – Flowers, Jungle, Butterflies, Fairy Tales, and Prehistoric. Comes with 12 dual-end non-toxic-ink felt pens, and is a great way to spend quality time exercising your creative side.
AGE: All ages
PRICE: $25

The Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab comes with 60 mix-and-match pieces to build an endless array of contraptions. Kids can dream up the weirdest combinations, then build and test them with the easy-to-construct velcro-like system.
AGE: 8+
PRICE: $40

Made in Italy, SuperMaxi is the latest innovation in magnetic toys. With its new larger rods, children can experience flexibility and simplicity of building, all in safety. Its magnetic components are very easy to assemble, allowing children to free their imagination to create objects and structures of any size.
AGE: 3+
PRICE: $31

This is not just any kind of seashell, it's a magical one. Waverly’s home holds special powers to unlock secrets from its magical pearls.
AGE: 4+
PRICE: $30

The Litehawk lets kids experience omni-directional flight and even 360 degree revolving feature. This toy also has a flight simulator program that allows kids to practice their piloting moves virtually.
AGE: 8+
PRICE: $50

The newest edition to LeapFrog, the LeapsterGS lets kids engage in learning by putting them in charge of the action with updated features including motion-based play, a built-in camera, video recorder, kid-friendly controls, and a large library of educational entertainment.
AGE: 5-10
PRICE: $90

3D puzzles are back and more popular (and bigger) than ever. This 3D Big Ben includes 890 pieces.
AGE: 12+
PRICE: $35

Looking for a game for family night? Try this hanging balance game that comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to hang from a tabletop stand. It sounds easy but each time a bar is added, the balance shifts and it gets that much harder.
AGE: 8+
PRICE: $17

Play under normal light to see one pattern and in the dark to see a different one. This set includes 30 colourful wooden blocks with 11 different shapes.
AGE: 24 Months+
PRICE: $22

This little pup can sit, stand and roll. The Walk-A-Long Puppy can pick up a few tricks from your little one and even help them with their first few steps.
AGE: 12 Months+
PRICE: $24